Infill Frequently Asked Questions
Artificial grass infill is a product placed between the plastic fibers/blades of artificial grass. It is one of the most critical components of synthetic turf systems for the following reasons:
- Infill helps keep the turf fibers standing upright, giving them a full, lush feel while protecting them from damage such as breaking and fraying.
- Infill is a ballast layer that helps keep the turf weighted to limit the risk of wrinkling and lifting. Without proper infill depths and weight, artificial turf is prone to movement throughout the seasons.
To learn more about infill in artificial turf sports fields, read this blog. To learn more about infill for residential and commercial applications, read this blog.
There are dozens of infill offerings for artificial turf and most fall under one of these three main infill categories:
- Rubber: Crumb Rubber, Virgin Rubber (TPE, EPDM), Coated Rubber
- Sand: Coated Sand, Dyed sand, Silica Sand
- Organic/Natural: Walnut Shells, Fruit Pits, Cork, Cork/Coconut blend, Wood.
We offer two progressive infill options for both landscape and sports applications: Envirofill coated sand infill and Safeshell organic infill. Read this blog to dive deeper into all infill categories.
Envirofill is an acrylic-coated round sand infused with Microban® antimicrobial product technology for protection against bacteria, mold and mildew growth that can cause stains and odors. Envirofill was designed for sports and landscape applications, used in soccer, football, and baseball fields, putting greens, backyards, playgrounds, and more. With many benefits such as superior durability, multiple lifecycle uses (reusable), and non-compaction, Envirofill is a safer, more sustainable synthetic turf infill option that boasts maximum playability and performance. It's also an extremely low maintenance product, with no need for irrigation and limited need for top off. Envirofill is a trusted infill with installations in over 200+ athletic fields and thousands of landscape applications worldwide. Learn more about Envirofill here.
Microban is a permanent antimicrobial technology infused into the acrylic coating of Envirofill throughout a proprietary process. The Microban product protection Envirofill uses is ZPTech, a zinc-based antimicrobial technology. Envirofill's Microban technology is 100% encapsulated in the acrylic coating. It is a permanent component of Envirofill for the product's life, meaning it will not wash off, wear off, or decrease in performance over the years. By partnering with Microban, Envirofill helps to prevent the growth of bacteria and microbes that cause stains, odors, and product deterioration. Considering that, on an unprotected surface, bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes, Envirofill, paired with Microban technology, packs a powerful punch by offering continuous antimicrobial product protection in your yard and on your sports field. Learn more about Microban here.
The coating on Envirofill is extremely durable. It was designed to withstand the harshest elements. We are so confident in the coating that we have provided a 16-year warranty on the product’s color and coating – the longest warranty of an artificial turf infill and double the standard 8-year warranty. Envirofill has been in production since 2005 and has proven to have a very stable coating. The simplest test to prove its stability is to place the product in a jar of water and shake it. The water will stay clear. We put Envirofill through a number of accelerated wear tests, which expose the product to UV rays through warm, cold, and wet cycles over 3,000 hours. The coating has proven to withstand these extreme temperature changes. Learn more about Envirofill’s durability here.
No, Envirofill does not contain Triclosan. Since 2017, Envirofill’s Microban product protection uses a Zinc Based technology called ZPTech. Learn more about Microban’s ZPTech technology here.
Safeshell is a 100% natural infill made from a proprietary blend of English and Black walnut shells, grown solely in the United States. Safeshell is created from one of the most durable nutshells (Walnuts) and is the first organic infill to receive a certification as a USDA Biopreffered product. Naturally durable, low maintenance, and evaporative cool wet or dry (by up to 37 degrees Fahrenheit), Safeshell is a popular artificial turf infill for clients looking to reduce heat and/or stick with natural products. Learn more about Safeshell here.
Safeshell is an allergen-free product. We teamed up with a leading biotechnology firm to develop a patent-pending process that reduces allergens that remain on the shell after separation from the nut. Following FDA guidelines, our process removes allergens below 2.4 parts per million. Safeshell is regularly subjected to third-party analysis by an ISO-certified food testing laboratory to ensure that the product is allergen-free and absent of even the most trace amount (≶ 2.4 ppm) of walnut protein. A stringent ≶ 2.4 ppm specification provides the basis for allergen-free claims, which is well below the ≶ 20 ppm limit set by the FDA for gluten-free claims. Have additional allergen questions? Contact us, and our team will gladly talk through the allergen removal process and testing in more detail.
Safeshell is made from a 100% renewable resource, crushed walnut shells. Due to Safeshell’s 100% biobased origin, it has been awarded the label of a USDA BioPreferred product. Learn more here.
Many variables will dictate the overall cost of your artificial turf landscape project, such as the turf, your location, base work required, size of the project, etc. Still, generally speaking, you should expect to pay anywhere between $8 - $20 an sqft. Custom applications like putting greens, tennis courts, bocce ball, etc., will most likely cost more. Read this blog for a detailed breakdown of what costs to expect.
Envirofill and Safeshell are currently sold into two markets: landscape and sports. In the landscape market, we sell to distributors who resell Envirofill and Safeshell into their respective markets. This helps reduce freight costs by shipping full truckloads to key areas of the country, where the product is then sold by the pallet and by the bag. Each distributor sets their own pricing. Use our Where To Buy Map to find your closest distributor or a nationwide shipping option. Artificial turf infill on the sports side is sold in larger quantities called super sacks. Envirofill and Safeshell can be directly shipped to the project site in 3,000lb bags or roughly 2,000lb bags. The amount of infill, and therefore the cost required, varies by project. Contact us today for a free quote.
We directly ship Envirofill and Safeshell to athletic field project sites. If you are not already working with a shipping partner, we can also coordinate freight for you. For smaller landscape projects, we sell Envirofill and Safeshell through our distribution network. Use our Where To Buy Map to find your local distributor. If you are looking for a shipping method, a few of our partners ship nationwide: Artificial Turf Supply and Synthetic Grass Warehouse
Currently, we sell Envirofill through a distribution network. Use our Where To Buy Map to find your closest reseller or installer as well as nationwide shipping partners. Envirofill is sold primarily in the US, but we also have distributors in Canada and the UK.
To install infill, you need to make sure you have the right equipment and all prep work, such as the base and turf installation, is already complete. Also, plan your infill installation according to the weather. You will want to avoid infilling in the rain or snow if possible. Here’s how to install Envirofill artificial turf infill in 3 easy steps.
- Power broom your turf to open the fibers and make it easier for Envirofill to fall in.
- Spread Envirofill across your lawn *infill amount and depth will vary based on the type of artificial turf you have.
- Power broom Envirofill into the turf.
For a detailed guide on installation, such as how much Envirofill you need and what tools you should have, reference this blog.
Envirofill comes in multiple sizes and colors. For residential applications, we typically recommend Envirofill 12/20 or 16/30. For putting greens, we recommend Envirofill 30/50 and 16/30. Putting green turf generally is denser, so the smaller the Envirofill, the easier it will be to install. This blog breaks down Envirofill’s size and color options and recommendations for when to use each.
The infill size and amount you should use in your project depend upon your application type and turf spec. Using the proper amount of infill is critical for your artificial turf's longevity, performance, and appearance. Reference this guide that breaks down how much infill to use in playgrounds, putting greens, lawns, etc.
Yes, Envirofill is a safe pet infill. Envirofill if accidentally ingested by kids or pets, will not cause serious harm. Envirofill is non-toxic and regularly tested for safety. For more information, read this blog.
Envirofill’s Microban protection suppresses the growth of microorganisms within the product it covers. When the product surface interacts with microbes, the Microban product protection will permeate the microorganism’s cell wall, thus diminishing the cell functions and making the microorganism unable to grow and reproduce. The Microban protection doesn’t end there. It continues to deter the growth of microbes that cause odor, bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Envirofill is a homogenous infill that works best alone. However, if infill replacement is not an option for you, your current infill can be topped off with Envirofill. Measure your current infill depth with an infill depth gauge in multiple sports and add about 1" to 1.5" of Envirofill depending upon your system's specified fiber reveal. In this situation, performance may not be the same as a sole Envirofill installation. Our recommendation for best performance and longevity is to remove and replace your infill with Envirofill instead of topping off. To replace your infill and install Envirofill, you must first remove your previous infill by using a vacuum to suck the old infill out of the turf. Then use a spreader and power broom to work Envirofill into your turf following the recommended infill depths. When vacuuming your artificial turf infill, do not use a household vacuum. Use one designed for artificial turf or a wet/dry vacuum (shop vac). Your turf itself does not need to be removed unless it is in poor condition and ready for a replacement. Follow our installation guidelines for spreading Envirofill.
Envirofill is sold in 50lb bags and Safeshell is sold in 25lb bags
We would typically not recommend Safeshell for pet installations. Due to its organic composition, Safeshell is a natural absorbent, making it great for evaporative cooling but not the best infill for areas frequently used by pets. Envirofill is our Pet infill.
Artificial turf lawns cost any where between $8- $20/sqft. Many factors determine the overall cost of the installation. It is best to work with a few local synthetic turf installers to gather quotes and determine what is best for your lawn. Read this blog for more information regarding what goes into the cost of an artificial turf lawn.
Ultimately the answer depends upon what you are looking for in an artificial turf infill. Silica sand is commonly used in landscape applications due to its reputation for being cheap. And while it may appear to be the cheapest option initially, silica sand infill tends to become quite expensive as common issues like unpleasant odors and less than optimal drainage occur. Here are 5 reasons to choose Envirofill over raw sand.
- Envirofill helps to reduce pet odor
- Envirofill is proven non-toxic
- Envirofill is cleaner and less dusty
- Envirofill was designed for optimal drainage and compaction resistance
- Envirofill is the only turf infill on the market with a 16-year-warranty
For more information, read this blog.
Yes, artificial grass is a safe surface for playgrounds and residences with children. To ensure the highest level of safety, install a shock pad and select a non-toxic turf infill free from allergens, dust, and heavy metals. Learn more about shock pads and infill here.
To determine the best artificial grass system for your putting green, start by deciding if your putting green will be for leisure or professional practice. A way to decide this is based on your required chipping distance, maintenance, stimp speed, and budget. Learn more about each component in this blog.
Infill affects:
- Ball roll – play similar to a natural grass field
- Game speed - slow or speed up the game
- Athletes energy restitution - how much resistance they face and how much energy they exert running across the field
- Safety - heat, cleanliness, consistent playing surface for lower leg extremities.
Pick your sport to learn more about how infill can affect the field and athletes' performance. Soccer, Football, Baseball, Multi-Purpose.
We have a free online partner portal containing testing and technical data. For access to our partner portal, register here. Registration is typically approved within 24 hours during regular business hours.
Yes, Envirofill can be reclaimed and reused in artificial turf. With a 16-year warranty, it is frequently used by field owners for at least two lifecycles, making it a very cost-effective infill. One of our customers evaluating the long-term financial impacts of a field said, "over 3 lifecycle costs its about $425,000 cheaper than other field types." Learn more about Envirofill here.
Artificial turf fields are 100% customizable, meaning pricing differs for each project based on location, the contractor used, materials, field type, size, and more. To estimate the cost of your field, you will need to factor in the price of the base preparation, artificial turf, pad, infill, and lifetime maintenance of the field. For the most accurate budget, gather quotes for your exact specifications from field installation partners. The cheapest full-sized field (80,000sqft) will start at around $500,000+. Learn more here.
Yes, Envirofill is non-toxic. It is regularly tested and passes the following standards: ASTM F-3188, EN 71-3, Prop 65, and Air Quality. The tests listed above test for heavy metals, leaching, and carcinogenic. Read this blog for more information.
No. PFAS were not detected above the method reporting limit for Envirofill or its leachate. In other words, Envirofill and any rainwater runoff from Envirofill is clean of PFAS even at the smallest possible detection limit within these EPA test methods. Learn more here.
Typical artificial turf field maintenance routines involve regularly grooming the field, disinfecting the surface, repairing seams and damages, stain and debris removal, and topping off infill. For more information on artificial turf field maintenance, check out our blogs on maintenance practices and tips and tricks for upkeep on each sports field type.
Ideally, it would be best if you let the snow melt naturally. However, we know this solution is not always possible. Light dry snow can sometimes be blown off with a leaf blower. Heavy wet snow can be removed with a plow. Never use a metal-bladed plow, and be sure to leave ¼-1/2" layer snow left on the field to keep from damaging your turf blades. All removal suggestions are subject to your field installer's warranty, be sure to reference it before driving equipment onto your field. For more direction on snow and ice removal, read this blog.
